1. Sand Ceremony

A growing favourite wedding trend, the sand ceremony is a wonderful ceremony alternative. Its meaning is simple and beautiful: two becoming one. The bride and groom mix two different colours of sand into one container, thereby symbolising their lives and hearts entwined. Once combined, it would be extremely difficult to separate the sand out again, just as the couple are so joined together.

The pouring of the sand can take place at any time before, after or during the wedding vows and ring exchange. Usually there’s a container each for the bride and groom with their respective sand colours inside. A third container sits empty until, after the officiate has explained the ceremony and its meaning, the bride or groom pours some of her/his sand into the empty container. Their partner does the same afterwards, and then the couple pour their remaining sand together so that the two colours mix.

Infuse even more meaning into this ceremony by collecting your sand from a favourite beach, or even include your children in the ceremony—you can have more than three sand containers, with the sand to symbolise anything from shared love or spirituality.

Sand ceremonies are a fantastic idea for outdoor weddings to get that natural feel, and it’s a double win if you’re planning a beach wedding. You don’t even have to use sand for this ceremony—you could even use glitter.

2. Water Ceremony

A lot like the sand ceremony, this ceremony blends two colours into one. We advise that you begin experimenting with colours before the wedding so that the mixing gives a colour you really like. Unlike with the sand ceremony, where you can get clear layers and blended layers, water really mixes together.

I have to wonder what kind of an effect ink would give as a nice little spin in this ceremony—the mixing ink in clear water could look wonderful. Also, consider water density too. Perhaps think carefully about how you want to colour your water, as certain liquids can give a layered effect.

3. Wine Ceremony

The wine ceremony, again, shows the merging of two into one by two wines being blended into one (possibly red wine and white wine). Then the couple drinks from the shared container. This sharing of a cup is symbolic of togetherness.

4. Love Letters Ceremony

Both the bride and groom write a love letter to each other. These are locked in a box with a bottle of wine and some wine glasses, ready for later in the marriage, such as a milestone anniversary. Open it up, share a drink of wine, and read the letters you wrote for each other. Here you have a reminder of why you love each other, there and ready for the future.

5. Unity Candle Ceremony

This is a very romantic wedding ceremony that has so many creative opportunities for you to make it unique and personal to you. In it you can include your family as well, and the lit candles in a dull room will look beautiful.

The bride and groom each has a candle, and there is a third, main one between them. This main candle is lit, perhaps by the father of the bride, (or by all of the couple’s parents) and then the bride and groom light their own candles from this main one. Then the rest of the family can light their candles from it as well.

On the flip-side, perhaps the bride and groom could light each other’s candles, and together they light the main one (that the rest of the family lights theirs from). The merging flames will show their unity and strengthened love and shared lives.

This ceremony is very flexible, so adapt it and use whichever symbolism works best for you—you don’t even need to exile yourself to unity candles simply placed on a frame or holder. Perhaps you could make this ceremony even more interesting by using lanterns or small flaming torches? The only downside to this ceremony is if a brisk wind is blowing; it may not work very well outside.

6. Flower Ceremony

One of the most popular flower unity ceremonies is the Rose Ceremony. Roses are a traditional symbol of love and are therefore perfect to feature in a wedding ceremony. The ceremony can also feature family members the bride and groom wish to take part.

The bride and groom each have a rose, and so does every family member they wish to take part in the ceremony. (Red roses are usually used due to their colour symbolism of love, and the family members can have the same colour or a different one.) Then the bride and groom swap their roses as a first gift to each other before placing them together into a vase. Then all of the family members add their roses to the mix.

Of course, you don’t have to use roses for your ceremony—use any flower that has a special meaning to you! Perhaps the flowers you use could be evergreen to symbolise your undying love for one another?

7. Tree Planting Ceremony

Planting a tree is a physical manifestation that symbolises the growth of your relationship. Together you can see the tree grow just as your love and married life does, and you must nurture it in order to keep it alive. So, you gather two pots of dirt, possibly from a special, significant place, and plant a tree in the combined soil. Water it together with two watering cans (perhaps, again, with water from a meaningful place), or even one shared watering can. You may even consider including your guests or immediate family and friends—ask them to add their own scatters of soil or seeds.

Make the ceremony even more symbolic by choosing the tree due to its meaning—look in mythology or lore or even use a cutting from a tree that’s special to you. You could even plant a tree each if you want to, and twist them together as they grow?

8. Handfasting and Tying the Knot Ceremony

Particularly known in Pagan wedding ceremonies, handfasting is the joining of the bride and groom’s hands and wrists using vines, cord, rope, or ribbon tied into a knot. It’s often said that this is where we get the expression “tying the knot” from, and it often takes place at the end of the wedding ceremony as a final promise from one person to the other to bind their lives together.

The material should probably be significant to you—for example, a strip of cloth from the dress you wore for your first date with your husband-to-be. And there’s nothing to stop you incorporating jewellery or chains of flowers either. Don’t be afraid to get creative and be unique. Also think carefully about what kind of knot you wish to tie your hands into. Each can carry a different meaning, and so, symbolically, one may suit you and your partner better than the others. Some types of knots include Infinity Knots, Fisherman’s Knots, and Trinity Knots.

Leanne is an Online Marketing Executive and one of Confetti's article writers. She enjoys being a highly creative person with a life-long passion for art and creative writing; she has a determined dream of becoming a published author.

One Reply to “8 Alternative Unity Ceremony Ideas for Your Wedding”

Alexandra Harrison

There are some lovely ideas to make your ceremony special for you. So much special significance.. And with many ideas, like the candles you can relight them each year to reaffirm your vows. Lovely and quite magical.